Man Utd Dismisses Osimhen Acquisition Due to Afcon Schedule

Key Factors in Transfer Decisions

Manchester United’s decision to refrain from pursuing Victor Osimhen was largely influenced by the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations, as noted by the club’s former assistant coach, Benni McCarthy.

The Nigerian forward garnered interest from some of Europe’s most prestigious teams after an impressive season where he netted 26 goals to lead Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades.

McCarthy, who was involved with the recruitment of strikers at United during his tenure under Erik ten Hag, believed that Osimhen would have integrated seamlessly into the team. However, the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations, which frequently overlaps with the European league season, compelled the club to explore other options after Osimhen was initially prioritized.

“If you are investing £100 million in a player, the prospect of losing him for the Afcon is a significant concern,” McCarthy explained during an interview. “It could have been a successful partnership, but the Afcon presented a substantial hurdle. Missing him for such crucial games would hinder our performance as a team.”

Consequently, United opted to recruit Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for £72 million in August 2023. The Denmark international had an impressive track record, scoring 26 goals in 95 appearances before making a loan switch to Napoli last September.

Osimhen, awarded African Player of the Year in 2023, later left Napoli to join Galatasaray on loan in September 2024, culminating in a permanent transfer to the Turkish side in July.

McCarthy’s View on Osimhen’s Potential

McCarthy expressed a strong belief that Osimhen would have thrived under Ten Hag’s guidance, emphasizing the striker’s resilience and work ethic. “He scores consistently and possesses an exceptional drive. He’s the type of player who can disregard external pressures,” stated McCarthy.

He elaborated on Osimhen’s ability to handle adversity, noting that the player’s past challenges would help him adapt to the demands of a club like Manchester United. “A stretch of games without a goal won’t faze him. He understands what struggle means from his life experiences,” McCarthy said.

Despite believing in Osimhen’s capabilities, the timing of Afcon, traditionally held in January and February, ultimately derailed any potential transfer.

Future Prospects for African Players

There is hope that the reluctance of clubs to invest heavily in top African talent may decrease going forward, as the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced plans for the Africa Cup of Nations to transition to a quadrennial event starting in 2028.

Caf president Patrice Motsepe shared that this shift, coordinated with FIFA, aims to create a more synchronized international football calendar.

As the current coach of Kenya, who will host the 2027 Afcon, McCarthy expressed that while the tournament should maintain its traditional two-year frequency for greater exposure of talent, better scheduling in collaboration with FIFA and UEFA could help prevent clashes with club commitments.

“I believe Caf should carefully collaborate with FIFA and UEFA on timing these tournaments to avoid detriment to players’ careers,” McCarthy stated. “Scheduling during league breaks or in the June-July timeframe when seasons conclude would be more advantageous.”

Related Topics

• Manchester United
• African Sports
• Premier League
• Nigeria Football
• Global Football Events

More Information on the Story

• Club versus country dilemma for Afcon players
• Ten Hag’s aspirations for a long tenure at United